Multi-function power strip

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a multi-function power strip are shown, said strip including a first endcap and a second endcap; at least one rail, said rail being adapted to engage with at least one outlet module; the rail also being engaged with a transformer module, said transformer module in electrical connection with the at least one outlet module, and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom, said transformer module further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronic accessories, and a connector forming a circuit to provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronic accessory; and wherein the at least one outlet module and the transformer module are releasably joined together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/871,413 filed Jan. 15, 2018, now abandoned, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 15/380,766 filed Dec. 15, 2016, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,876,325, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/073,257 filed Mar. 17, 2016, now abandoned, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 14/856,782 filed Sep. 17, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,300,097, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/147,314,filed Jan. 3, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,982, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 13/110,644, filed May 18, 2011, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,622,756, all having the same title, and all of which areincorporated herein by this reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the multi-function power strip.

FIG. 2 is a top exploded view of an embodiment of the multi-functionpower strip.

FIG. 3 is an isometric exploded view of an embodiment of themulti-function power strip.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the inter-relation of parts in anembodiment of the multi-function power strip.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the module connector and moduleused in an embodiment of the multi-function power strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of a multi-function power strip are shown and described.Generally, the multi-function power strip comprises a cord forconnection to an electrical power source; a plurality of outlet modulesin electrical connection with the cord, wherein said plurality of outletmodules are in electrical connection with each other; and a transformermodule, said transformer module in electrical connection with at leastone of the outlet modules, and adapted to receive electrical powertherefrom, said transformer module further comprising, a transformeradapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltagessuitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronicaccessories, and a connector electrically connected to the transformer,and having a plurality of pins, each of the plurality of pins having adesignated one of the plurality of voltages supplied thereto, andwherein the connector is configured to engage with a plurality of plugs,each of the plugs forming an electrical connection with a designated oneof the plurality of pins and a ground pin, thereby forming a circuit toprovide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronicaccessory; and wherein the outlet modules and the transformer module arereleasably joined together. Thus, embodiments of the multi-functionpower strip are assembled by combining together and electricallyconnecting a number of modular components into a single assembly.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the multi-functionpower strip. As can be seen in FIG. 1, multi-function power strip 100 iscomprised of endcaps 101 and rail 102. Various modular components (whichwill be discussed in greater detail infra) are engaged with rail 102 andretained in engagement with rail 102 by end caps 101. Endcaps 101 mayattach to rail 102 by means of screws or other fasteners commonly usedin the art. Alternatively, endcaps 101 may engage with rail 102 by meansof a friction-fit or snap-fit, and thereby be retained in connection tothe rail 102. First endcap 101 a is provided with a coupler (not shown)into which a cord (not shown) can be received. The cord (not shown)provides standard household electrical power, which one of skill in theart would appreciate can be between 110 and 240 volts, alternatingcurrent, with a frequency between 50 and 60 Hz. The cord is received inthe endcap, and the endcap is electrically connected to the firstmodular component in the multi-function power strip, thereby providinghousehold electrical power to the first modular component, and all othermodular components that are joined thereto.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that a number ofmodular components are engaged with rail 102. All of the modularcomponents are electrically connected together, and each receiveselectrical power from the previous component in the chain. The structureand function of each will now be explained in greater detail. As shownin FIG. 1, an embodiment of multi-function power strip 100 may include aswitch module 110. Switch module 110 is provided with switch 111. Switch111 may be a single pole, single throw switch. As one of ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate, switch 111 may be any type of switchknown to the art which is capable of operating under the load conditionsimposed by the transmission and handling of ordinary householdelectrical power, as referenced above. Switch module 110 is electricallycoupled to the first end cap 101 a, and in such way it receiveshousehold electrical power from the cord (not shown) through the firstendcap 101 a. Switch module 110 is also electrically coupled to the nextmodular component in the chain, which in FIG. 1 is fuse module 120.Electrical power flows into switch module 110, through switch 111, andout of switch module 110 into the next modular component in the chain.An indicator light (not shown) may be provided on the housing of switchmodule 110, or it may be incorporated into the switch 111, as in thecase of a rocker switch with light to indicate it is in the “ON”position, thereby alerting a user to the status of the power strip. Bymanipulating switch 111, a user may selectively turn on and off the flowof electrical power through switch module 110 to other modularcomponents further down the chain electrically connected to switchmodule 110. For this reason, switch module 110 may be provided near thebeginning of the chain of modular components but it need not be. As withall of the modular components disclosed herein, the order of thecomponents is not critical to the operation of the multi-function powerstrip. As long as the modular components are in electrical connectionwith each other, the order in which they are assembled is a matter ofconvenience to suit the nature of the area being serviced by themulti-function power strip.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the next modular component in the chainfollowing the switch module 110 is the fuse module 120. As with all ofthe modular components described, fuse module 120 is electricallyconnected to and receives electrical power from the component in thechain before it (i.e. in this case, the switch module). Electrical powerthen passes through a fuse 121 and then flows out of fuse module 120into the next component in the chain. As one of ordinary skill in theart will readily appreciate, fuse 121 may be any type of fuse known tothe art which is capable of operating under the load conditions imposedby the transmission and handling of ordinary household electrical power.Alternatively, fuse 121 may be a circuit breaker, a ground fault circuitinterrupter or any other device designed to protect an electricalcircuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit by detecting afault condition and interrupting continuity to discontinue electricalflow. The fuse 121 may be completely enclosed in the housing of fusemodule 120, such that it is not accessible by a user. Alternatively, incases where a circuit breaker or other device that must be reset by auser after a fault occurs are used, the fuse 121 may be mounted so thatit protrudes from the housing of fuse module 120, so as to be accessibleby a user.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a first outlet module 130. As with all of themodular components described, first outlet module 130 is electricallyconnected to and receives electrical power from the component in thechain before it (i.e. in this case, the fuse module). The flow ofelectrical power is then split, and is sent both to outlet receptacles131 and out of first outlet module 130 into the next component in thechain. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that manydifferent configurations of outlet receptacles 131 have been developedand implemented in various countries throughout the world. For example,Type A and Type B outlet configurations are commonly used in NorthAmerica. The Type C outlet configuration is commonly used in continentalEurope. The Type G outlet configuration is commonly used in the UnitedKingdom and the Type I configuration is commonly used in Australia andNew Zealand. The following outlet configurations are recognized by thoseof ordinary skill in the art: a Type A outlet, a Type B outlet, a Type Coutlet, a Type D outlet, a Type E outlet, a Type F outlet, a Type E/Fhybrid outlet, a Type G outlet, a Type H outlet, a Type I outlet, a TypeJ outlet, a Type K outlet, a Type L outlet, and a Type M outlet. Outletreceptacles 131 may take the form of any of the outlet configurationsrecited above. For example, in FIG. 1, the outlet configuration of firstoutlet module 130 is a Type G outlet. In this way, the power strip maybe adapted to function in various countries using different outletconfigurations. Within the housing of first outlet module 130 may beprovided a fuse 132 in the electrical power supply line ahead of outletreceptacles 131, to protect any electrical circuits plugged into theoutlet receptacles from overload or short circuit. Fuse 132 may be usedin addition to or in place of a fuse module 120.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a second outlet module 140. Second outlet module140 is the same in all respects as first outlet module 130, except thatsecond outlet module 140 may have a different outlet configuration thanfirst outlet module 130. Alternatively, second outlet module 140 mayhave the same outlet configuration as first outlet module 130. Forexample, in FIG. 1, second outlet module 130 has a Type B outletconfiguration, which is different than first outlet module 130, whichhas a Type G outlet configuration. As with all of the modular componentsdescribed, second outlet module 140 is electrically connected to andreceives electrical power from the component in the chain before it(i.e. in this case, the first outlet module). The flow of electricalpower is then split, and is sent both to outlet receptacles 141 and outof second outlet module 140 into the next component in the chain.Although not shown, within the housing of second outlet module 140 maybe provided a fuse in the electrical power supply line ahead of outletreceptacles 141, to protect any electrical circuits plugged into theoutlet receptacles from overload or short circuit. The fuse may be usedin addition to or in place of a fuse module 120.

The transformer module 150 is also shown in FIG. 1. As with all of themodular components described, transformer module 150 is electricallyconnected to and receives electrical power from the component in thechain before it (i.e. in this case, the second outlet module). Disposedwithin the transformer module is a transformer (not shown). Thetransformer receives household electrical power from the previouscomponent in the chain. The transformer is adapted to transform thehousehold electrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable forpowering a plurality of different models of electronic accessories. Byway of example and without limitation, the transformer may be one ofthose supplied by the Trade Management Group Ltd. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate that any transformer capable ofoperating under the load conditions imposed by the transmission andhandling of ordinary household electrical power and capable of producinga plurality of output voltages may be suitable for use in transformermodule 150. By way of example, and without limitation, the transformermay be adapted to produce the following output voltages: 16V, 18V, 20V,22V and 24V. All of the preceding voltages may be provided at a currentof approximately 5 A or less. Transformer module 150 may include aprimary output connection 151. Primary output connection 151 may beprovided with a plurality of pins (not shown). Each of the plurality ofpins may have a designated one of the plurality of voltages produced bythe transformer supplied thereto. Additionally, a ground pin may beprovided as one of the plurality of pins in the primary connector. Inuse, a plurality of cords with plugs may be provided to the user. Eachof the plurality of plugs will fit into the primary output connector 151in such a way as to form an electrical connection with a designated oneof the plurality of pins and the ground pin, thereby forming a circuitto provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronicaccessory. Each of the plurality of plugs will only fit into the primaryoutput connector 151 in a specified way, thus each of the cords andassociated plugs supplies one of the designated voltages to anelectronic accessory. The user determines which plug and cordcombination to use to power a specified electronic accessory.

Transformer module 150 may also be provided with a secondary outputconnector 152. In addition to the voltages produced by the transformerand output to the primary output connector 151, the transformer may beadapted to produce certain secondary output voltages. By way of exampleand without limitation, the secondary output voltages produced by thetransformer may be: 5V, 12V, 15V, and 22V. All of the preceding voltagesmay be provided at a current of approximately 5 A or less. In a similarfashion as described above, secondary output connection 152 may beprovided with a plurality of pins (not shown). Each of the plurality ofpins may have a designated one of the plurality of secondary outputvoltages produced by the transformer supplied thereto. Additionally, aground pin may be provided as one of the plurality of pins in thesecondary connector. In use, a plurality of cords with plugs may beprovided to the user. Each of the plurality of plugs will fit into thesecondary output connector 152 in such a way as to form an electricalconnection with a designated one of the plurality of pins and the groundpin, thereby forming a circuit to provide a suitable one of theplurality of secondary output voltages to a secondary electronicaccessory. Each of the plurality of plugs will only fit into thesecondary output connector 152 in a specified way, thus each of thecords and associated plugs supplies one of the designated secondaryoutput voltages to a secondary electronic accessory. The user determineswhich plug and cord combination to use to power a specified secondaryelectronic accessory.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is USB module 160. As with all of the modularcomponents described, USB module 160 is electrically connected to andreceives electrical power from the component in the chain before it(i.e. in this case, the transformer module). USB module is provided withUSB ports 161, which are standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports.Power may be provided to USB ports 161 in two ways. In a firstembodiment, the transformer in transformer module 150 may produce a USBelectrical power output. By way of example and without limitation, suchUSB electrical power output may be a 5V 2 A power output. The USBelectrical power output is then sent from the transformer module 150 tothe USB module 160 and distributed through the USB ports 161. In analternate embodiment, a USB transformer may be provided within USBmodule 160. In this embodiment, the USB module receives householdelectrical power from the prior component in the chain (i.e. thetransformer module) and steps it down to a voltage suitable fordistribution through the USB ports 161.

Several other aspects of the USB module 160 will now be furtherexplained. Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a specification to establishcommunication between devices and a host controller (usually a personalcomputer), and can be used to connect computer peripherals to a personalcomputer. USB connections can also be used with other devices such assmartphones, PDAs and video game consoles. USB connectors supplyelectric power to the devices connected thereto, so devices connected byUSB may not require a power source of their own. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate that the parameters of the outputfrom the USB ports 161 is governed by the USB standard. The USB 2.0standard is commonly used in many applications, and USB module 160 andthe output of USB ports 161 may be selected to conform to that standard.Alternatively, the USB 3.0 standard has recently introduced, and USBmodule 160 and the output of USB ports 161 may be selected to conform tothat standard. As noted above, USB connections may be used to supplypower to a device or to recharge the batteries contained in a portabledevice. When used for charging, the electrical power supplied to the USBports 161 may be 5V and 0.5 A. One of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that certain electronic accessories, most notablyApple® products, require a higher charging amperage than those ofdevices which comply with the USB standards. Such devices requiringhigher charging amperages may require as much as 2 A for propercharging. It should appreciated that the power supplied to all or aportion of USB ports 161 could be standard USB power or higher amperagecharging power to accommodate devices which require higher chargingamperages.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that charging electronic devicesand providing USB power are not the only functions that the USB module160 can perform. USB module 160 may also serve as a USB hub. A USB hubis a device that expands a single USB port into several so that thereare more ports available to connect devices to a host system. In such anarrangement, one of the USB ports 161 a may be designated a USB hub portand may be connected via a USB cable (not shown) to a USB port on apersonal computer. USB module 160 may contain electronic circuitryrequired to allow USB module 160 to act as a USB hub. Most USB hubs useone or more integrated controller (IC's), of which several designs areavailable from various manufacturers and are well known to persons ofskill in the art. The IC's control the flow of data between the USB hubport 161 a and the remaining USB ports 161, and thereby allows theremaining USB ports 161 to act as additional USB ports connected to thepersonal computer connected to the USB hub.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is network module 170. Depending on thefunctionality implemented, network module 170 may or may not require asource of electrical power. In an embodiment where network module 170does require electrical power, network module 170 is electricallyconnected to and receives electrical power from the component in thechain before it (i.e. in this case, the USB module). The power receivedby network module 170 may be standard household electrical power, andnetwork module 170 may contain a transformer (not shown) for steppingdown the household electrical power to a voltage suitable for use in thenetwork module. Alternatively, the component in the chain before thenetwork module 170 (in this case, the USB module) may transform thehousehold electrical power into a voltage suitable for use in thenetwork module 170 and then pass that voltage on to the network module170. Network module 170 is provided with network ports 171. Networkports 171 may be RJ45 connectors for receiving LAN (Local Area Network)data signals. Alternatively, network ports 171 may be Rill connectorsfor receiving telephone signals, or BNC connectors for receiving cableTV signals or other data signals. One of ordinary skill will appreciatethat network ports 171 may take the form of any connector necessary toconnect the required data stream to the network module 170. Insidenetwork module 170 is provided a fuse, circuit breaker or the like (notshown). The fuse, circuit breaker or the like is electrically connectedbetween first network port 171 a and second network port 171 b, andprovides voltage and current surge protection between the two ports. Inoperation, a data feed cable (not shown) is connected to first networkport 171 a. A personal computer or other device may then be connectedvia a data cable to second network port 171 b. In the event of a voltageor current spike in the data circuit, the fuse, circuit breaker or thelike provided in network module 170 will trip, thereby preventing saidvoltage or current spike from reaching the personal computer or otherdevice connected to second network port 171 b. In this way, networkmodule 170 may act as a pass-through surge suppressor for LAN,telephone, CATV or other data feeds.

It should be appreciated that network module 170 may also have moreadvanced features. For instance, network module 170 may function as anetwork switch. A network switch serves as a controller, enablingnetworked devices to exchange data with each other efficiently. Networkswitches are capable of inspecting data packets as they are received,determining the source and destination device of each packet, andforwarding them appropriately. By delivering messages only to theconnected device intended, a network switch conserves network bandwidth.If network module 170 is to be configured as a network switch,electrical power may be provided to the network module 170 as describedsupra. If network module 170 is to be configured as a network switch,network module 170 may be provided with more network ports than shown inFIG. 1, for example, network module 170 may be provided with fournetwork ports. One of the network ports may be designated a LAN inputport and may be connected via a LAN cable (not shown) to a local areanetwork. Network module 170 may be provided with electronic circuitryrequired to allow network module 170 to act as a network switch. Mostnetwork switches use one or more integrated controller (IC's), of whichseveral designs are available from various manufacturers and are wellknown to persons of skill in the art. The IC's control the flow of databetween the LAN input port and the remaining network ports, and therebyallows the remaining network ports to act as additional network portsfor connecting additional devices to the local area network. The networkswitch electronic circuitry inside the network module 170 directs dataon the LAN to the appropriate devices connected to the network ports.Thus, the switch allows multiple devices to be connected to a single LANconnection, and provides for the accurate routing of data to the devicesso connected.

FIG. 2 shows a top exploded view of an embodiment of a multi-functionpower strip 100. Like numbers will be used to designate componentsalready described with respect to FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2,first endcap 101 a and endcap 101 are provided, as is rail 102.Additionally, switch module 110, fuse module 120, first outlet module130, second outlet module 140, transformer module 150, USB module 160and network module 170 are provided. As can be readily seen in theexploded view, all of the aforementioned modules are slidably engagedwith the rail 102, and retained in engagement with the rail 102 by theendcaps 101. As has been previously pointed out, it should beappreciated that not all of the aforementioned modules need be providedin every embodiment of the power strip. For example, only a singleoutlet module may be provided, or the USB and/or network modules may beleft out of the configuration. Thus, depending on the customer's desirefor the functionality of the device, certain modules may be excludedfrom the assembly, or certain modules may be included in numbers inexcess of what has been shown in FIG. 2, as in the case where a customerdesires numerous outlet modules in addition to all the other modules. Itshould be readily appreciated that rail 102, as an extruded part, may becut to any length and therefore may accommodate any number of modules asrequested by the customer. The only limitation on the number of modules,and hence the overall length of rail 102 and relatedly the assembly 100is that the maximum power that can be drawn by the combination of all ofthe modules in the power strip is 4000 Watts. As long as the combinedmodules draw less than the aforementioned maximum power, any combinationof modules, and any length of rail 102 necessary to accommodate thosemodules may be used.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are module connectors 210. Module connectors 210electrically connect the various modules in the power strip assemblytogether. Module connectors 210 mate with electrical contacts formed inthe housings of the various modules (not shown) and thereby electricallyconnect two adjacent modules together. The structure of the moduleconnectors 210 will be explained in greater detail with reference toFIG. 5. Referring again to FIG. 2, note that certain modules do notemploy module connectors 210. As shown in FIG. 2, USB module 160 andnetwork module 170 use attached connectors 220 to electrically connectthose modules to the previous component in the chain. Attachedconnectors 220 have essentially the same structure as module connectors210 with the exception being that attached connectors 220 arepermanently attached to the module that they connect to the previouscomponent in the chain. One of ordinary skill will readily appreciatethat either module connectors 210 or attached connectors 220 could beused to electrically connect any or all of the modules in the powerstrip together, and the selection of either module connector 210 orattached connector 220 is simply a matter of preference or improvementof the manufacturability of the power strip.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric exploded view of an embodiment of themulti-function power strip 100. Like numbers will be used to designatecomponents already described with respect to FIG. 1. As can be seen inFIG. 3, first endcap 101 a and endcap 101 are provided, as is rail 102.Additionally, switch module 110, fuse module 120, first outlet module130, second outlet module 140, transformer module 150, USB module 160and network module 170 are provided. FIG. 3 illustrates the manner inwhich the various modules engage with rail 102. As can be in FIG. 3 allof the modules are provided with tabs 310. Tabs 310 slidably engage withgroove 320 in rail 102, and thereby retain the modules in the rail.Endcaps 101 and 101 a engage with the ends of rail 102, and have holes330 provided therein for attachment means (not shown) to secure theendcaps 101, 101 a to the rail 102. The modules can be slid into and outof engagement with rail easily for assembly and for disassembly in theevent it becomes necessary to replace one of the modules.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram showing the inter-relation of parts in anembodiment of the multi-function power strip. As shown in FIG. 4, powersource 400 is a standard household electrical power source and is thepower input into the multi-function power strip. The electric power maythen pass through components 410 which may be an on/off switch, acircuit breaker or a fuse. The electrical power may pass through asingle one, two or all three of these components, depending on theconfiguration of the multi-function power strip. Electrical power maythen pass through an optional timer or occupancy sensor 420. Ifcomponent 420 is a timer module, it may be a standard programmable timerthat is configured to permit the flow of electrical power to componentsdown the chain for certain periods of the day, and to block the flow ofelectrical power to components down the chain for certain other periodsof the day. Such timers are well known to those of skill in the art, asis their inclusion in a circuit of this type. If component 420 is anoccupancy sensor module, it may contain an occupancy sensor adapted todetect the presence of a person in the area adjacent to the power stripand to turn off electrical power to components down the chain of thepower strip when a person is not present in the area adjacent to thepower strip. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciatethat any occupancy sensor switch suitable for use in the area around apower strip would be suitable for use as an occupancy sensor inoccupancy sensor module 420. Occupancy sensor module 420 may operate bydetecting infrared radiation in the area surrounding the power stripthat is produced by the presence of a person. In operation, whenoccupancy sensor module 420 detects the presence of a person in the areasurrounding the power, it allows the flow of electrical power to modulesdown the chain of the power strip. If the occupancy sensor does notdetect the presence of a person in the area surrounding the power strip,it interrupts the flow of electrical power to the components down thechain.

As shown in FIG. 4, electrical power then passes into outlet modules430, 440, 450 and 460. The dashed lines in FIG. 4 show possible routesfor the electrical power, showing that it may travel through one, two,three or all four of the outlet modules, depending on the configurationof the power strip. As shown in FIG. 4, the outlet modules are all ofdifferent configurations, outlet module 430 is a United Statesconfiguration outlet; outlet module 440 is a European configurationoutlet; outlet module 450 is a United Kingdom configuration outlet; andoutlet module 460 is a Chinese configuration outlet. One of ordinaryskill will appreciate that the outlet modules may all have differentconfigurations as shown or they may all be of a single configuration, orthey may be a combination of two or more configurations. Each of theoutlet modules is configured so that electrical power may be transferredto a device plugged into the outlet module, and also that electricalpower is transferred to the next component in the chain. From the lastoutlet module, electrical power is then flows into the transformermodule 470. As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, transformer module 470steps down household electrical power to a plurality of voltagessuitable for powering electronic accessories and outputs those voltagesthough a multi-pinned connector adapted to mate with a plurality ofplugs and thereby supply the appropriate voltages to electronicaccessories. Electrical power then flows into USB module 480. As shownin FIG. 4, transformer module 470 may step household electrical powerdown to a 5V 2 A output for USB module 480. Alternatively, USB module480 may contain a transformer which transforms electrical power into avoltage suitable for use in USB module 480. In such an embodiment,household electrical power would flow from transformer module 470 to USBmodule 480. USB module 480 may receive data from and transmit data to apersonal computer or other device in the case where USB module 480 actsas a USB hub. USB module 480 may provide a source of power to networkmodule 490. Network module 490 may act as a pass-through surgesuppressor or network cables, phone cables or other data feeds.Alternatively, network module 490 may act as a network switch and mayreceive data from and transmit data to a personal computer or otherdevice.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the module connector and moduleused in an embodiment of the multi-function power strip. Shown in FIG. 5is a switch module 110 with tabs 310 (as described with reference toFIG. 3), however, as set forth in the description of FIG. 2, moduleconnectors 210 can be used with any of the modules described in thevarious embodiments of the multi-function power strip. Module connector210 has a body 500 with a first end 500 a. The opposite end of body 500(not shown) is a mirror image of first end 500 a. Body 500 of moduleconnector 210 can be fabricated from any suitable material known in theart, for example, plastic. Apertures 510 are provided in first end body500 a and extend all the way through the body to the opposite end (notshown). In such a way, the body 500 has a hollow interior formed by theapertures 510. Three apertures 510 are shown in FIG. 5, however, itshould be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any numberof apertures could be used, depending on the number of connections thatmust be made between the modules. By way of example and withoutlimitation, the three apertures shown in FIG. 5 may accommodatepositive, negative and ground connections between modules. Inapplications where an additional number of connections are required, asfor example in cases where data or transformed voltages are also to betransferred between modules, more apertures may be provided. Body 500may also be provided with an alignment boss 512. Alignment boss 512mates with alignment groove 513 on the module. Alignment boss 512 andalignment groove 513 ensure that the module connector 210 and the moduleare connected in the appropriate orientation.

Disposed within the apertures 510 are contacts 511. Similar contacts(not shown) are disposed on the opposite end of body 500 (not shown).The contacts 511 may be made from copper or any material suitable forconducting electricity. The contacts 511 mate with and form anelectrical connection with the blades 514 disposed on the module. Thecontacts 511, and the similar contacts (not shown) on the opposite endof body 500 are electrically connected. The similar contacts (not shown)on the opposite end of body 500 are likewise adapted to mate with blades(not shown) on an adjacent module. In this way, the contacts in themodule connector 210 form an electrical connection between two adjacentmodules.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, whilethe forgoing disclosure has been set forth in connection with particularembodiments and examples, the disclosure is not intended to benecessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples,uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples anduses described herein are intended to be encompassed by the claimsattached hereto. Various features of the disclosure are set forth in thefollowing claims.

I claim:
 1. A multi-function power strip comprising: a cord forconnection to an electrical power source; a plurality of outlet modulesin electrical connection with the cord, wherein said plurality of outletmodules are in electrical connection with each other; and a transformermodule, said transformer module in electrical connection with at leastone of the outlet modules, and adapted to receive electrical powertherefrom, said transformer module further comprising, a transformeradapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltagessuitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronicaccessories, and a primary connector electrically connected to thetransformer, and having a plurality of pins, each of the plurality ofpins having a designated one of the plurality of voltages suppliedthereto, and wherein the connector is configured to engage with aplurality of plugs, each of the plugs forming an electrical connectionwith a designated one of the plurality of pins and a ground pin, therebyforming a circuit to provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltagesto an electronic accessory; and wherein the transformer module includesa secondary output connector electrically connected to the transformer.2. The multi-function power strip of claim 1, wherein the transformer isadapted to produce certain secondary output voltages in addition to thevoltages output to the primary connector.
 3. The multi-function powerstrip of claim 2, wherein the secondary output voltages produced by thetransformer are 5V, 12V, 15V, and 22V.
 4. The multi-function power stripof claim 1, wherein the secondary output connector is provided with aplurality of pins, each of the plurality of pins having a designated oneof the plurality of secondary output voltages supplied thereto, andwherein the secondary output connector is configured to engage with aplurality of secondary output plugs, each of the secondary output plugsforming an electrical connection with a designated one of the pluralityof pins and a ground pin, thereby forming a circuit to provide asuitable one of the plurality of secondary output voltages to asecondary electronic accessory.
 5. The multi-function power strip ofclaim 1, wherein the power strip further comprises a plurality ofconnectors having no exposed terminals for connecting the plurality ofoutlet modules and the transformer module.
 6. The multi-function powerstrip of claim 1, wherein the power strip further comprises at least oneof the modules selected from the group consisting of a timer module, anoccupancy sensor module, and a network switch module.
 7. Themulti-function power strip of claim 1, wherein the power strip furthercomprises a surge suppression module for at least one line type selectedfrom the group consisting of phone lines, data lines, and CATV lines. 8.The multi-function power strip of claim 1, wherein the power stripfurther comprises a switch module, for selectively controlling electricpower to the outlet modules and transformer module.
 9. Themulti-function power strip of claim 1, wherein the power strip furthercomprises a surge suppression module, electrically connected to theoutlet modules and the transformer module, for preventing power surgesto the outlet modules and the transformer module.
 10. The multi-functionpower strip of claim 1, wherein the power strip further comprises a fuseelectrically connected to at least one of the outlet module and thetransformer module.
 11. A multi-function power strip comprising: a firstendcap and a second endcap, wherein the first endcap is adapted toreceive a power cord for supplying electrical power to the power strip;at least one rail, having a proximal end and a distal end, and whereinsaid first endcap is attached to the proximal end of the rail and saidsecond endcap is attached to the distal end of the rail, said rail beingadapted to engage with at least one outlet module, said outlet module inelectrical connection with the first endcap and adapted to receiveelectrical power therefrom; wherein the rail is further engaged with atleast one additional module selected from the group comprising: atransformer module further comprising a transformer adapted to transformelectrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable for powering aplurality of different models of electronic accessories, and at leastone connector electrically connected to the transformer and having aplurality of pins, each of the plurality of pins having a designated oneof the plurality of voltages supplied thereto, and wherein the at leastone connector is configured to engage with a plurality of plugs, each ofthe plugs forming an electrical connection with a designated one of theplurality of pins and a neutral pin, thereby forming a circuit toprovide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronicaccessory; a Universal Serial Bus (USB) module, further comprising atransformer adapted to transform electrical power into a voltagessuitable for distribution through a USB port, and at least one USB port,wherein the transformer is electrically coupled to the at least one USBport; a network module further comprising a plurality of network portsin electrical connection with each other, including a first network portand second network port, wherein said first network port is adapted toreceive a data feed and said second network port is adapted to providethe data feed to a personal computer or other devices connected to thesecond network port; and wherein the at least one outlet module and theat least one additional module are connected by a attached connector,said attached connector having a body with a first end and a second end,the second end being a mirror image of first end; at least one apertureprovided in the first end of body and extending all the way through thebody to the second end; a first contact disposed within the at least oneaperture at the first end of the body and a second contact disposed inthe at least one aperture at the second end of the body, wherein thefirst and second contacts are electrically connected; and wherein thefirst and second contacts mate with blades disposed in the at least oneoutlet module and the at least one additional module thereby forming anelectrical connection between two adjacent modules.
 12. Themulti-function power strip of claim 11, wherein a USB module and anetwork module use permanently attached connectors to electricallyconnect those modules to another component in the power strip.
 13. Themulti-function power strip of claim 11, wherein the attached connectorshave the same structure as a module connector with the exception beingthat the attached connectors are permanently attached to a module. 14.The multi-function power strip of claim 11, wherein both moduleconnectors and attached connectors are used to electrically connect themodules in the power strip together.
 15. The multifunction power stripof claim 11, wherein the blades are disposed in an opening in the atleast one outlet module and the at least one additional module.
 16. Themultifunction power strip of claim 15, wherein the blades do notprotrude past the side of the at least one outlet module and the atleast one additional module to prevent the blades from making accidentalcontact with persons or things which may cause an electrical shock orshort circuit.
 17. The multifunction power strip of claim 11, wherein atleast three apertures are provided in the attached connector.
 18. Themultifunction power strip of claim 11, wherein the attached connectorfurther comprises an alignment boss.
 19. The multifunction power stripof claim 18, wherein the at least one outlet module and the at least oneadditional module are provided with alignment grooves to receive thealignment boss on the module connector.
 20. The multifunction powerstrip of claim 11, wherein the contacts are made from any materialsuitable for conducting electricity.